Labour Move Ahead In Opinion Polls Following Controversial Budget And Cash For Access Scandal

PA/Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 26/03/2012 22:29 Updated: 27/03/2012 08:43

Ed Miliband
Labour party leader Ed Miliband arrives at Kings Cross Station in London

Labour has raced into a double digit opinion poll lead as the Tories deal with fall-out from an unpopular Budget and the cash-for-access controversy, a survey showed today.

Two thirds of voters agreed that tax changes announced by Chancellor George Osborne last week show his was "the party of the rich", according to the ComRes research for The Independent.

And the results suggested that questions over the influence of major Conservative donors raised by a weekend expose had sparked a further immediate move away from the party.

The poll puts Labour up three points over the last month on 43%, with the Tories down four at 33% and the Liberal Democrats down two on 11%. Others gained three points to 13%.

About half of the telephone interviews for the survey were carried out on Sunday and Monday, after The Sunday Times revealed the claims of Tory co-treasurer Peter Cruddas.

Among those, Labour enjoyed a 17-point lead.

But in the 337 interviews conducted on Saturday, before the cash-for-access revelations emerged, Labour enjoyed a lead of only four points.

Asked about the Budget, 66% agreed with the statement that "the measures announced...show that the Conservatives are the party of the rich".

A move to freeze personal tax allowances for pensioners was opposed by 59% to 31%.

A second poll, by Populus for The Times, showed a four point lead for Labour over the Tories by 38% (down one) to 34% (down three).

The Liberal Democrats were unchanged on 11% while other parties gained three to 16%.

Almost half (49%) did not believe the pensioner tax allowance move was fair and more (53%) said cutting the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p would do "nothing" to boost the economy.

Only just over a third (35%) believed they would be helped by the increase in the personal tax allowance to £9,205 - 45% said it would make "little or no difference to me".

Voter confidence in the Government's handling of the economy also dipped although Mr Osborne, David Cameron and Nick Clegg still enjoy more confidence than Labour.

They lead Ed Miliband and Ed Balls on that score by 60% to 40% - compared with 66% to 34% last month.

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,500 adults by telephone and 2,056 adults online between March 23-25.

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Labour has raced into a double digit opinion poll lead as the Tories deal with fall-out from an unpopular Budget and the cash-for-access controversy, a survey showed today. Two thirds of voters agr...
Labour has raced into a double digit opinion poll lead as the Tories deal with fall-out from an unpopular Budget and the cash-for-access controversy, a survey showed today. Two thirds of voters agr...
 
 
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hearthammer
If left is right and right is wrong, decide!
16:21 on 31/03/2012
So the question is vote for Tories or Tory-lites. Hobsons choice really.
17:17 on 28/03/2012
VOTE FOR THIS PARTY AND YOU WILL BE A MINORITY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY
11:18 on 28/03/2012
All my posts disappeared again. Replys only allowed. Huff you are a disgrace to free speech.
21:29 on 27/03/2012
Red Ed 1 Dodgy Dave 0
18:12 on 27/03/2012
Adam Smith's four pillars of what constitutes an acceptable tax, which was quoted by Mr Osborne, has fairness as one such pillar. As judged by most voters the tax on pensioners' personal allowances is blatantly unfair. Even if it was a necessary evil of the present economic climate, to give little notice of the introduction of such an important issue shows just how divorced from ordinary voters this government is. Of worry to the Tories, Mr Osborne is considered to be one of their key strategists, with a keen touchstone to voters' views. Shame on these top minds (at least in their own view!) that vulnerable people are paying through their pocket, when well-rich people gain - how could any mind, least of all a 'top' one, reconcile that as fair? Plato said many years ago, "if men speak evil of you, act so as to prove them liars" Sadly, Mr Osborne's actions in this budget condemn him and his Party, unless they rise to thwart this budget in the Commons vote.
16:06 on 27/03/2012
The budget didn't do the coalition any good, but still a safer bet than labour. Although " New Labour " left us in a desperate situation the tories don't seem to be making enough progress on critical issues. Especially Ken Clarke who is a major pain in their side. The punishment never ever fits the crime. Coupled with the European Court of Human Rights our judicial system is well and truly handicapped. The cracks are begining to show David. You cartainly didn't do much for the pensioners. As for fuel !!!!! These are problems that you could have solved even though others may take a bit longer.
16:04 on 27/03/2012
The end near for the coalition. Clegg will have to pull the plug soon, the other option is total destruction of the lib/dem movement. They should know not to dance with the D.E.V.I.L
15:52 on 27/03/2012
I just love to see the tory voters in a panic , trying to blame all others for their party's crooked goings on.

YOU GOT WHAT YOU DESERVED WHEN YOU VOTED FOR THESE SPIVS

live with it
10:33 on 28/03/2012
Trouble is everybody else has to live with it too.
15:28 on 27/03/2012
imagine anyone in their right mind voting Labour in again, they had their snouts in the trough from day one and bled this country dry, oh and did I forget the sleaze factor as well, and don't forget the two clowns Blair and Brown. Who exactly can we vote in and have any faith in to do the right things for the country. I for one will not vote in the next election, wouldn't have a clue who to vote for.
15:47 on 27/03/2012
Hey tory boy , remember it was THE TORIES THAT GOT CAUGHT OUT stop trying to deflect from the issues here. I pity you
15:59 on 27/03/2012
I think you better vote for the CON-servatives again, they will need and deserve you.
19:56 on 27/03/2012
Can't wait for the next election to get a proper Tory government, instead of a watered down one.
15:27 on 27/03/2012
These pollsters are very clever, if they want an answer that favours the Labour party they go to a safe Labour haven. Same applies for the Tories.

I suspect the latest poll was taken in Labour stronghold. Polls mean nothing.
15:15 on 27/03/2012
I have just joined the Labour party, and after 8 weeks I feel better already I am now in the fight to save my Country! I don't believe any polls that I have not been involved so 11% of people believe clegg is truthfull and pure of heart and is still a lib/dem, I just don't see it.
15:57 on 27/03/2012
congratulations and hope your objectives are achieved.

When flying high with this party or any other party do not forget your parachute to cushion your landing because it will be rough. Second thoughts, keep a balloon handy because there will be enough hot air to keep this floating and you safe. Best of luck
16:00 on 27/03/2012
Not just save the country but the NHS aswell.
16:47 on 27/03/2012
T o the end!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Norman Mitchison
15:02 on 27/03/2012
The conclusion drawn being Labour is better than Libdems having a smattering of power.
15:19 on 27/03/2012
See you later at the comedy stand up session. Stop giving away your best lines until then, please..
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Norman Mitchison
17:25 on 27/03/2012
But there might not be any Libdems left then!
14:19 on 27/03/2012
Get rid of Miliband and they just might be a party worth listening to.
15:22 on 27/03/2012
I think not. Could be few others but then they know who they are, so I will not name
14:12 on 27/03/2012
So voters are airing their anger. big deal. It will be different at the election.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SATCHMAN99
14:55 on 27/03/2012
No It won't..The lib dems are already dead in the water and so are this government.Just depends what the labour party have to bribe the public with at the time as is always the case!!
16:01 on 27/03/2012
I called the lib/dems lib/deads because there is a reason
15:26 on 27/03/2012
Swap what for what. None are shining examples of government. They flow with the tides, swaying but always keeping balanced so they do not fall off the fence or tight rope.
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